2009-02-05 Special MeetingNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE CAPE FEAR MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 539
AND CAPE FEAR MUSEUM ASSOCIATES, INC., FEBRUARY 5, 2009
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Cape Fear Museum
Advisory Board and Members of the Cape Fear Museum Associates, Inc. on Thursday, February 5, 2009, at 8:00
a.m. in the Williston Auditorium of the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, 814 Market Street Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Ted Davis, Jr.; Commissioner Robert G. Greer; Commissioner William
A. Caster; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; Clerk to the Board Sheila L.
Schuh and County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Vice-Chairman Jason R. Thompson was absent.
Cape Fear Museum Advisory Board Members present were: Stuart Ball; Dean Gattone; John Haley; Jack
Mills; Bob Jones; and Lowell Soucie.
Cape Fear Museum Associates, Inc. members present were: Tom Cunningham and Gail Smith.
Cape Fear Museum staff members present were: Ruth Haas; Janine Powell; Jenean Todd; Barbara Rowe;
Rebecca Dotterer; Rebecca Philpott; and Karen Smith.
Museum Director Ruth Haas presented the following information concerning the American Association of
Museums re-accreditation process:
Why Re-accreditation:
• Widely-recognized seal of approval
• Rigorous process of self-review
• Signified fulfillment of mission and obligation to public
Benefits:
• Credibility and accountability
• Clearer sense of purpose
• Leverage and support
• Sustainability and stronger institution
Process:
• Complete and submit self-study
• Review by American Association of Museums Accreditation Committee
• Visit by Review Committee
• Address deficiencies
• Celebrate!
• Repeat every ten years
Cost:
• Annual membership to American Association of Museums
• $400 application fee
• $2,000 estimated cost for visiting committee
• Time
• Preparing self-study
• Visiting committee
• Addressing any deficiencies
Core Questions:
• How well does the museum achieve its stated mission and goals?
• How well does the museum's performance meet standards and best practices as they are generally
understood in the museum field, as appropriate to its circumstances?
Expectations:
• Mission
• Planning
• Governance
• Code of Ethics
• Collections Stewardship
• Delegation of Authority
• Required - Strategic Vision; Governance Statement; Ethics Policy; Collections Policy; Self-Study
Timeline:
• February 5, 2009 - Overview
• February 15, 2009 - Complete Corrections
• March 2, 2009 - NHC Board of Commissioners meeting presentation and endorsement
• March 15, 2009 - Self-Study and Attachments submitted to American Association of Museums
A brief question and answer period was held.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE CAPE FEAR MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 540
AND CAPE FEAR MUSEUM ASSOCIATES, INC., FEBRUARY 5, 2009
On behalf of the Board, Chairman Davis expressed appreciation to the Cape Fear Museum Advisory Board,
Cape Fear Museum Associates, Inc. Board Members and Administrative Staff for the informative presentation and
adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available for review at the Cape Fear Museum.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board